Healthcare Insurance Quotes in Westchase, FL

Ryan Borruso, Agent

813-321-2367

Healthcare Coverage

Do you need Health Care Insurance?

GreatFlorida Insurance is committed to helping Floridians make informed decisions about their health care. Health insurance is designed to protect individuals and families from the high costs of health care.

Whether you are facing a pre-existing health condition, an emergency situation or just want preventative and wellness care, health insurance will pay part of your costs.

GreatFlorida Insurance offers coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, also known as Florida Blue.

We can help clear up any confusion about recent health reform, the Affordable Care Act, (ACA) and answer any of your questions concerning health care.

How does health insurance work?

Your health insurance plan is a contract between you and your insurance company.

You pay a monthly bill called a premium for the health plan and the insurance company agrees to pay part of the costs for covered medical services.

The plans have varying costs and coverage to meet your needs and budget. Another option includes a Catastrophic Plan for single people under 30 who qualify through financial hardships.

GreatFlorida Insurance can help you understand your choice of plans and options for health care through Florida Blue.

We will help you apply for and enroll in a plan that works best for you.

Affordable Care Act

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law, comprehensive health reform, Affordable Care Act, (ACA). The law makes preventative care more accessible and affordable for many Americans.

The health care law is designed to provide better benefits and expanding coverage while creating a stronger Medicare program.

What if I do not get health insurance in 2014?

If you can afford health insurance but choose not to buy it, you will be penalized and must pay a fee. The fee in 2014 is 1 percent of your yearly income or $95 per person for the year, whichever is higher.

The fee increases every year. In 2016 it is 2.5 percent of income or $695 per person, whichever is higher. In 2014 the payment for uninsured children is $47.50 per child.

New Options Include:

Floridians can find out if they are eligible for lower costs for private insurance or health programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, (CHIP) and enroll in health coverage.

Parents can keep their children on their health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old.

Insurers can no longer deny coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions such as asthma or diabetes.

In 2014, health insurers will no longer be able to charge more or deny coverage to anyone with a pre-existing condition.

Health insurance companies now have to spend at least 80 cents of your premium dollar on health care or improvements to care or provide you with a refund.

Insurance companies are required to publicly justify their actions if they want to raise rates by 10 percent or more.

Insurance companies are banned from imposing lifetime dollar limits on health benefits. The law also restricts the use of annual limits and bans them completely in 2014.

Preventative services such as colonoscopy screening for colon cancer, Pap smears and mammograms for women, well-child visits and flu shots for all children and adults, will be covered with no deductible or co-pay required.

Increases funding to community health centers

Strengthens Medicare Program

Increasing coverage for brand name and generic drugs

No deductibles or co-pays for preventative services seniors and people with disabilities

Florida could become one of the first states to allow drivers to present a digital driver’s license stored on cellphones as proof of identification.

“It seems like an obvious transition with so much of our lives currently stored on our phones,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.

An electronic driver’s license legislative bill will be introduced this spring. It is likely to be packaged with a proposal to create a database enabling police to access a driver’s auto insurance status as well.

Many benefits have driver’s excited over this proposal. Losing a driver’s license would not be so inconvenient and few would argue against having to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles for a replacement.

Also, a statewide data base would improve the chances of the police to catch uninsured drivers because the information is updated in real-time, unlike a hard copy of an insurance card or driver’s license. “This could help reduce the high percentage of uninsured motorists across the state,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance.

The electronic database however, would not replace traditional driver’s licenses, merely be supplemental. Almost all states in the U.S. currently recognizes electronic copies of auto insurance cards so a driver’s license seems the next logical progression.

According to the Sun Sentinel, 14 other state are also developing, studying and considering an electronic credentials program. They report, it could also be used for traffic stops, voting and purchasing liquor and any other reason you may need to present your driver’s license.

Security

While the advancement in technology is convenient, is it safe? Privacy advocates have expressed serious concern over the digital license. DMV.org reports, “many have openly worried that the trade-off for shiny screens and more convenience will be greater susceptibility – to police officers who are a little too curious, hackers looking to abuse the system, or anyone interested in stealing our identities, whether individually or en masse.”

Logically, a new database of information seems vulnerable to information hungry hackers. Yet, a digital driver’s license would be protected by passwords, PINs and other security features in addition to the typical security built into phones. If a plastic driver’s license is stolen or lost, you also face the same risks of someone taking your information without security protections.

However, Forbes.com reports, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail because people are overly ambitious with their goals. This statistic should not keep you from coming up with a resolution. But maybe focus on setting one that is more realistic to achieve.

So where do you start? Try evaluating a few areas of your life that you feel inspired to improve.

Health

Maybe you need to remove or add something to your diet to help you lose weight or lower your cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic reports, regular exercise can increase self-confidence, improve your sleep and reduce symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety.

Finances

Money is a sensitive subject, but we can all agree, being anchored to debt is no way to live. Establishing a realistic budget can provide peace of mind. Financial guru, Dave Ramsey says establishing a budget will also reduce stress, build for the future, provide responsibility, as well as a help you dig your way out of debt.

Time

If you feel like you do not have enough time in the day, you probably need to re-evaluate your calendar. Extracurricular activities are great, but they can become a drain on your time. Plan vacations, date nights and family time in advance and stand firm to those dates. Also, remove activities that are not in line with your greatest values.

Do not underestimate the power of the clutter you have in your life. Clutter causes stress. An overabundance of stuff can be draining. Less stuff translates into less energy spent organizing and re-organizing and more time spent on the things you enjoy. De-cluttering your home gives you more control over your life. It allows you to identify what is important and what you no longer need hanging around.

Author and Netflix star, Marie Kondo, encourages people to surround themselves with items that offer positive. She explains in her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, “We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.”

We are in the season where more people are coughing and blowing their nose. But, when is it necessary to see a doctor? What may seem like a simple cold can turn into a more complicated condition.

“While colds might not be severe, cold symptoms can take a lot out of you” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent health insurance company.

In fact, colds can wear down your immune system, leaving your body vulnerable to other health issues. Colds typically last for two weeks then go away.

So how can you tell if you have a cold or something more serious, like the flu? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the common cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. However, those suffering from the flu have more intense symptoms along with fever and chills.

“If you are not sure if you or a family member needs to see a doctor, always call your physician’s office to get advice,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent health insurance company.

Below is a list compiled from consumer health website, EverydayHealth.com, of symptoms that require medical attention.

Children

Fever above 103 F or a fever that lasts more than three days

Symptoms that last more the 10 days

Trouble breathing, fast breathing or wheezing

Bluish skin color

Earache or drainage from the ear

Changes in mental state, such as not waking up, irritability or seizures

Flu-like symptoms that improve, then return with a fever and a worse cough

Del Monte Foods Inc. is recalling 64, 242 cases of Fiesta Corn Seasoned with Red & Green Peppers, due to under-processing. These deviations could cause contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed.

JBS Tolleson Inc. is recalling more than 12 million pounds of beef products for possible salmonella contamination. Over 100 retailers distributed the beef, including Sam’s Club and Walmart. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) urges consumers to check their freezers for the tainted meat.

Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Older adults, infants and those with a weakened immune system can develop a severe illness.

Inspired Organics, LLC has issued a voluntary recall of Organic Almond Butter and Organic Sunflower Butter due to potential contamination of listeria. Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and other with weakened immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Now that we can safely consume romaine lettuce, the same farm that is suspected in the romaine lettuce outbreak, Adams Bros. Farming Inc., is recalling red and green leaf lettuce, as well as cauliflower for E. coli contamination.

It is important to note, none of the tainted produce was distributed to wholesalers in Florida.

“If you are in possession of any of the following tainted food items, return them to the store for a refund or toss them out,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s most dependable independent health insurance agency.

GreatFlorida Insurance sends a Happy Holidays greeting to all our valued agents as well as our appreciated customers across the state.

Not everyone on the road this time of year is interested in spreading holiday cheer.

A new study by smartphone app GasBuddy says, individual’s driving habits are 175 percent more aggressive during the holiday season compared to the rest of the year. According to the study, Florida ranks 6 for states with the worst holiday drivers.

Their data also revealed that aggressive driving habits occur most during the beginning of the season, with more instances happening during the drive to the holiday destination, rather than on the return trip.

“People are under a lot of stress during the holidays and tend to lose their patience while driving,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent car insurance agency.

A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous year. They also report, over half of fatal crashes involved at least one driver who performed an aggressive action.

AAA recommends drivers, “Manage your behavior, manage your responses.” Do not be personally offended when you see other drivers doing something illegal or inconsiderate. Many drivers this time of year are rushed or distracted, so try and be forgiving. Also, do not respond or make contact with an aggressive driver looking for a confrontation.

Additionally, AAA reminds drivers, to remain calm and courteous while driving, it lowers your risk of a dicey encounter with another driver.

Their tips for dealing with hostility on the road:

Avoid eye contact with angry drivers.

Don’t respond to aggression with aggression.

If you feel you are at risk, drive to a public place such as a police station, hospital or fire station.

When you park, allow room so you can pull out safely if someone approaches you aggressively.

Use your horn to attract attention but remain in your locked vehicle.

If you are confronted, stay as calm and courteous as possible.

If you feel threatened, call 911.

“Florida does not require motorist to carry bodily injury coverage. So, if you are hurt by an aggressive driver who does not carry that coverage, you are responsible for the cost of your medical expenses,” reminds Buck with GreatFlorida Insurance.

Since January 2018, 385 cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection have been reported in Florida. This is more than three times the previous five-year average of 126 cases. Florida’s cases are beginning to mirror national trends.

The increase in hepatitis A cases to date is predominantly in the Tampa Bay and Orlando metropolitan areas. Unlike previous outbreaks, most of the latest cases do not involve international travel exposures.

Although infections have occurred across all demographic groups, approximately 68 percent of the recent cases are among males. The median age of cases is 37 years and the highest rates of disease are among persons 30-49 years.

The Mayo Clinic explains, “Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus in one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver’s ability to function.”

HAV is usually transmitted through person-to-person contact. The virus can also be transmitted from contaminated food, water or an object that’s infected. While mild cases do not require hospitalization, 77 percent of recent cases in Florida have required hospitalization. However, most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness. Most health insurance companies cover the cost of a hepatitis A immunization. Check with your doctor, pharmacy or walk-in-clinic.

“Hepatitis A vaccines are provided free to all Florida children 18 and under,” reminds Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent health insurance agency.

The Florida Department of Health says the best way to prevent the virus is through vaccination. Additionally, practicing good hygiene- including thoroughly washing hands after the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating and preparing food can prevent the spread of hepatitis A.